Maintenance Worker Leader (Trails) (Seasonal)

National Park Service; Crescent City (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

National Park Service is seeking a Maintenance Worker Leader (Trails) for seasonal work in California. You will lead a trail crew and volunteers, supervise safety, manage project progress, and contribute to backcountry trail maintenance tasks across rugged terrain.

The role involves heavy physical work, budgeting duties, and extensive documentation. Seasonal scheduling and variable start dates reflect funding and weather conditions.

Qualifications

• No substitutions of education for experience for Federal Wage System (FWS) positions.
• Prior leadership or crew supervision experience preferred.
• Experience with trail maintenance and safety protocols desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead a trail crew, volunteers, and youth crews in construction and maintenance projects.
• Ensure safety, quality, and timely reporting to the Trails Supervisor.
• Handle budgeting, estimates, and records for safety documentation and timekeeping.
• Work in backcountry and front country settings, including backcountry travel with tools and equipment.

Skills

Crew Leadership

Trail Maintenance

Heavy Lifting

Education

No substitution policy for education (FWS)

Job description

Maintenance Worker Leader (Trails) (Seasonal)

• Schedule: Work Schedule is dependent on the position.

The anticipated seasonal entry-on-duty period for Seasonal Staffing Office-Pacific West Region is March - May, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding.

Key Responsibilities

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Day-to-day leadership of up to fifteen employee trail crew, volunteers, and youth conservation crews in trail construction and maintenance projects in the front country and back country settings, masonry, rigging, and motor vehicle trail maintenance related operations.

Projects include repairing dry-laid rock retaining walls, tread replacement and grading of ADA trails, bridge construction and cleaning and/or replacing water bars. Responsible for the quality, quantity and safety of work performed under his/her leadership and for communicating progress reports on all assigned projects to the Trails Supervisor. Clearing trails of downed timber and debris using crosscuts and chainsaws; removing snow.

Administrative duties such as estimating and budgeting, keeping detailed records, maintaining accurate paper and electronic files for safety documentation; purchasing, time keeping and other matters. Physical Effort: Heavy physical effort is required in bending, lifting, and using hand and power tools in trail work.

As examples of typical strenuous activity, incumbent: Frequently lifts and carries objects weighing over 100 lbs., must carry and roll rocks and logs, move rocks of several tons with rock bars, use hammers to crush or shape rock, and use shovel and other hand tools extensively; Frequently hikes up to 20 miles daily, and must be able to do so while carrying a backpack, power and/or hand tools.

Working Conditions: Incumbent must have the ability to live and work effectively in backcountry areas in close contact with small numbers of people for extended periods of time. Incumbent must live and work out-of-doors on projects in mountainous terrain at elevations between 2,000 to 10,000 ft in all extremes of adverse weather conditions.

Trail work is dusty, and hazardous conditions may exist when moving rocks and logs, working in and around rockslide areas, working around livestock or explosives, falling and bucking trees, and working around rigging equipment and machinery.

Requirements & Education

There is no substitution of education for experience for Federal Wage System (FWS) positions.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $28.64 – $40.48/hr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-29.

What is the work schedule?

This is a Work Schedule is dependent on the position. position.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.

Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-10-25 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov